Monica Heeren Barnes holding son, Boyd Barnes, born July 5, 1920. They are in the cabin door on Castle, the original homestead.
She was born in 1899 in Whiting, Iowa. She was helping her cousin on a ranch in South Dakota when she met Guy T. Barnes, working as a herdsman. They married and moved to Eagle, Colorado, where Mr. Barnes was employed by Andrew Christiansen.
"While living in a cabin owned by Mr. Christainsen, Guy and Monica Barnes began building a cabin on the land which they hoped to one day own. Most of the work on the cabin was done at night after Guy had done his day's work at the Christiansen place. The lumber, windows and door for the cabin were hauled twelve miles by horse and wagon over a rough and rocky road. The cabin is about 12 fr. x 10 ft. and the foundation is made of rocks set in place by hand. The cabin has two windows, one door and was furnished with tables, benches and shelves which were built by Guy. ... The bed was made from iron and was placed in the least used corner of the cabin." -- Homestead Days in Colorado p.1
